Ballade

Description

Ballade – an instrumental recording – is the solo debut album by the American session musician, composer and producer Fletch Wiley of Sonlight fame (the early ’70s backup band of Andrae Crouch, which morphed into Koinonia in the beginning of the ’80s), released on StarSong Records in 1977. The album was recorded by Bob Cotton and Billy Taylor at Associated Artists Recording Studios in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; and was produced by Fletch Wiley with Bill Maxwell. Mixed at at Mama Jo’s. Featuring future members of Koinonia. Backing vocals provided by Andraé Crouch, Bili Thedford, Danniebelle Hall, and Paula Jones.

Instrumental album from prominent and talented session musician who has a skillful handling of the trumpet, flugelhorn and flute. Unfortunately Ballade falls into that not especially challenging category of light-and-easy jazz/pop – a formate similar to but significantly mellower than Chuck Mangione. A pleasant enough listen given the proper mood, with original compositions like «The Love Life», «Snowflakes» and «The Search» faring better than the transcriptions of hymns and Andrae Crouch songs. Speaking of Andrae, he along with Danniebelle Hall and Bili Thedford can occasionally be heard in a brief background vocal role. Fletch was also a member of the group Sonlight along with Bill Maxwell, Harlan Rogers and Hadley Hockensmith, all of whom are assisting here. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I See The Lord” – 5:16
A2. “The Love Life” – 4:28
A3. “A Mighty Fortress”/”Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem” – 4:32
A4. “Ballade For God” – 3:21
A5. “Snowflakes” – 3:03

Side Two
B1. “I Feel Good Down In My Soul” – 2:52
B2. “My Tribute” – 4:24
B3. “The Search” – 3:55
B4. “Fairest Lord Jesus” – 3:11
B5. “Everything’s Changed” – 4:14

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records.

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